The Ark of God is Captured

Transcription

1 1 Samuel 4 1 And Samuel s word came to all Israel. Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines at Aphek. 2 The Philistines deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand of them on the battlefield. 3 When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, Why did the LORD bring defeat upon us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the LORD S covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies. 4 So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. And Eli s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 When the ark of the LORD S covenant came into the camp, all Israel raised such a great shout that the ground shook. 6 Hearing the uproar, the Philistines asked, What s all this shouting in the Hebrew camp? When they learned that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp, 7 the Philistines were afraid. A god has come into the camp, they said. We re in trouble! Nothing like this has happened before. 8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? They are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the desert. 9 Be strong, Philistines! Be men, or you will be subject to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Be men, and fight! 10 So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died. 12 That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh, his clothes torn and dust on his head. 13 When he arrived, there was Eli sitting on his chair by the side of the road, watching, because his heart feared for the ark of God. When the man entered the town and told what had happened, the whole town sent up a cry. 14 Eli heard the outcry and asked, What is the meaning of this uproar? The man hurried over to Eli, 15 who was ninety-eight years old and whose eyes were set so that he could not see. 16 He told Eli, I have just come from the battle line; I fled from it this very day. Eli asked, What happened, my son? 17 The man who brought the news replied, Israel fled before the Philistines, and the army has suffered heavy losses. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured. 18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man and heavy. He had led Israel forty years.

2 Possible My Questions 5 1.) What happened when the Israelites fought against the Philistines? 5 2.) Why did the Israelites decide to take the Ark with them into battle? 5 3.) What happened the next time the Israelites fought the Philistines? 5 4.) Why do you think the Israelites lost both times they fought against the Philistines? Possible 10 My Memory Verse Jesus answered, It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. Luke 4:8 Possible My Home Connection I have read, or been read, the passage of scripture for this week. I have answered the questions aloud to an adult at home this week. I have recited the memory verse out loud to an adult at home this week. Parent/Guardian Signature Total Club Connection Leader s Signature Date / /

3 Picture from The Children s Illustrated Bible illustrated by Eric Thomas. DK Publishing: Copyright 1994.

4 The Philistines capture the Ark of the Lord s Covenant

5 Craft/Activity: Arks Students will make an Ark to help them remember that the Ark of the Lord s Covenant was captured by the Philistines. Materials 1. White 67 lb. Cardstock 2. Ark Pattern 3. Scissors 4. Glue 5. Crayons, Markers, or Colored Pencils (optional) 6. Hole Punch 7. Drinking Straws Directions 1. Make a copy of the Ark Pattern for each student onto 67 lb. cardstock. 2. Have students color the ark with crayons, markers, or colored pencils. 3. Instruct students to cut out the ark on the black lines. Students will fold on the dotted lines. 4. Students will then put glue on the four tabs that say glue and assemble the box. 5. Punch holes where the black dots are. 6. Use two drinking straws as poles, and slide them into the holes. 7. Glue the cherubim on top of the ark. For Discussion As students are working on their arks, remind them that the Israelites, throughout their history, had difficulties worshiping only the one true God. During this period of time, they began worshipping the gods of the Philistines. Because the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, God disciplined them. In this story, God allowed thousands of Israelites to be slaughtered due to their disobedience to him. Time Needed to Complete: Approximately 20 minutes Memory Verse Jesus answered, It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. Luke 4:8

6 The Ark of God is Captured Ark Pattern

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8 The Bible Times Herald A Special Report on THE ARK OF GOD IS CAPTURED Yesterday, the Philistines and Israelites were seen fighting again. About 4,000 of the Israelites were killed. The leaders of the Israelites wondered why they had lost he battle. They decided to go and get the ark of the covenant. The leaders thought that this might help them when they were fighting against the Philistines. Witnesses saw the ark of the covenant being brought into camp. They could hear the cheers of the Israelites. The Philistines wanted to know why the Israelites were cheering. When the Philistines found out that the ark of the covenant was with the Israelites, they became afraid and decided to fight the Israelites. Again, the Philistines beat the Israelites. 30,000 soldiers died and so did Eli s sons. The Philistines had captured the ark! Eli, the priest, found out what happened to the ark and his sons. He fell off his chair, broke his neck and died. God had kept his promise to Samuel. Eli s family was being judged for the sins that Eli knew about. To find out more, check out 1 Samuel 4:1-18. QUESTIONS 1. When the Philistines and Israelites fought, who won? 2. What did the Israelites bring with them into battle? 3. Why do you think the Philistines took the ark of the covenant? 4. Why do you think the Lord allowed the Israelites to loose the battles? MEMORY VERSE Jesus answered, It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. Luke 4:8 FILL IN THE BLANKS soldiers fighting took died Eli ark The Philistines and the Israelites were each other. About 4,000 died. The leaders of Israel sent men to get the. The Philistines the ark from the Israelites. Many more soldiers. When found out what happened, he died too. Take-home Activity Sheet